Question

The difference between ions and atoms is of:
(A) Relative size
(B) Electronic configuration
(C) Presence of charge
(D) All of the above

Answer 1

Atoms are the elements which are not in excited state and have ground state electronic configuration. Ions are made when atoms lose or gain valence electrons.

Complete step by step solution:
We will see the differences between the ions and its relative atoms.
- We know that atoms have a distinct atomic radius which is also referred to as the size of the atoms. The electronic configuration of the atom is also regarded as its ground state electronic configuration. Atoms do not have charge on them.
- Ions are the species which result when an atom either loses or gains one or more than one electron. Let’s see all the options one by one to see which one is different in ions and atoms.
- Atoms and its ions differ in size. This is because in the case of ions, there will be either less or more electrons present in the ion. So, if it has lost an electron, then the size of the ion will be less than the size of the atom.
- Electronic configuration of atoms and its ions is never the same. Actually ions are formed when atoms lose or gain electrons. So, loss or gain of electrons makes the electron configuration differ.
- Atoms do not have charge in its ground state electronic configuration and when they are charged, they are called ions.
So, we can conclude that ions and atoms differ in their relative size, electronic configuration and charge.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D).

Note: Remember that when the atom loses an electron and becomes positively charged, the size of the ion is less than that of the atom. When the atom gains an electron and becomes negatively charged, the size of the anion is more than that of the atom.